1. You will be able to use turbidity as a means of determining cell growth in fu
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Question
1. You will be able to use turbidity as a means of determining cell growth in future experiments. Using the plot of absorbance versus cell count derived in this exercise, you will be able to approximate actual cell counts in future exercises with Escherichia coli. Why can't you use this same plot (or standard curve) for other bacteria? 2. What are the advantages of estimating microbial numbers or biomass by this method? 3. What might be some disadvantages? 4. Can you measure all kinds of microbes this way? Why not?Explanation / Answer
1.
Each microbe has a specific size and shape. Their composition is also different.
So, they exhibit different absorption properties. Hence, we can not use a single standard graph for all the microbes.
2. Advantages
a. Rapid
b. Easy and convenient
c. Does not have to kill the organism
3. Disadvantages
a. Can not distinguish between live and dead cells
b. Works best within a limited range
4.
Most of the microbes but not all can be characterized by spectrometry.
Some microbes release certain chemicals which interfere with the absorbance.
Some microbes have large surface structures that alter the absorbance value.
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